Mongol conquest of Western Xia

The Mongol conquest of Western Xia occurred from 1205 to 1227 when the Mongol Empire, led by Genghis Khan, conquered the Tangut Western Xia empire of northwestern China. It was during his campaign against the Western Xia that Genghis Khan died in battle, but the city of Yinchuan fell to the Mongols shortly after Genghis Khan's death, leading to the Western Xia's fall.

First invasion
In 1201, Genghis Khan united the Mongols as their supreme leader ("Khan"), and, in 1205, he began raiding the Western Xia empire of northwestern China. In 1209, Genghis Khan launched his first invasion of the powerful Western Xia state to the southwest. He was successful in open battles, but he was unable to take the well-fortified cities, learning the importance of siege warfare. After the surrounded Xia cities began to suffer from starvation and illness, and the Xia emperor was forced to surrender to Genghis Khan and become his vassal.

Conquest
In 1224, the general Subedei, who had just returned from the Mongol invasion of Rus, was sent to punish the Western Xia leader Mozhu for not contributing to the Mongol campaigns. Genghis Khan mustered a colossal force to crush the Western Xia, and the kingdom quickly fell, while the Emperor was murdered. However, Genghis fell from his horse and injured his shoulder, soon developing a high fever. He ignored recommendations to return to Mongolia, and he died on 18 August 1227 at the age of 66; the Xi Xia were his first and last enemies.